On the right road or off-track? How local school boards fared

A study conducted by University of Southern Mississippi professor David Lee has found a correlation between the behaviors of a local school board and student achievement in the district it oversees.

For his research, Lee and others in his department monitored more than 160 school boards across several states over the last few years. Using a rubric to pinpoint specific behaviors and grade each board, the research has been applied to boards in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.

As part of the study, Lee and his team kept the identity of the monitored districts anonymous. When discussing his findings with The Clarion-Ledger, Lee shared his study's grading rubric so the newspaper could look at the metro area's seven school boards and test his findings for ourselves.

Over the last month, Clarion-Ledger reporters Dustin Barnes, Emily Le Coz and Ruth Ingram each attended local school board meetings, making sure to cover a board that isn't normally under each reporter's assignment area.

Canton Public Schools (MDE rating: D): Feb. 11 meeting

Observed by: Emily Le Coz

Pros: Board members did not talk out of turn or engage in side conversations during the meeting, a sign of professionalism. Members also appeared to have a good working relationship with the superintendent and were respectful of others.

Cons: At points, board members didn't appear to pay attention to each other, and the meeting only moderately covered student achievement or accountability standards.

Clinton Public Schools (MDE rating: A): Feb. 11 meeting

Observed by: Dustin Barnes

Pros: The board members paid close attention to each other, the superintendent and other speakers, with minimum side conversations. The board was organized and professional.

Cons: A discussion not originally on the agenda on the concerns of unused school equipment seemed to wear on at one point. The board also moderately mentioned student achievement or accountability standards in its discussions.

Hinds County School District (MDE rating: C): Feb. 13 meeting

Observed by: Dustin Barnes

Pros: The board members appeared attentive, respectful and on task with the agenda. The collaboration between the board and superintendent was apparent, and a portion of the meeting spotlighted the success of students and community members.

Cons: At a certain point the board appeared to be unprepared for a financial report, while some portions of the meeting were conducted in a more low-key and less businesslike manner.

Overall observation: Slightly disorganized, but respectful board.

Jackson Public Schools (MDE rating: D): Feb. 18 meeting

Observed by: Dustin Barnes

Pros: Board members listened respectfully to presentations, often relying on the superintendent for advice as they worked through the agenda. The board and superintendent demonstrated a strong collaboration.

Cons: Board members continually broke into side conversations when other members were talking, and several items not listed on the agenda were brought up and, at times, discussed at length.

Overall observation: Board has issues with meeting organization and flow.

Madison County School District (MDE rating: A): March 3 meeting

Observed by: Ruth Ingram

Pros: Board members were attentive to other speakers at the meeting and spent a majority of the meeting focusing on student achievement. There was strong evidence of collaboration between the school board and superintendent.

Cons: There was a lack of accountability mentioned during the meeting, and no actions were taken on board policy items.

Overall observation: Board was professional, orderly and thoughtful during its meeting.

Pearl Public Schools (MDE rating: B): Feb. 10 meeting

Observed by: Ruth Ingram

Pros: Board members were attentive at all times, conducting the meeting professionally and efficiently. The board spent a moderate portion of the meeting on student achievement.

Cons: The board did not often ask the advice of the superintendent on the issues before it and only brought up accountability issues at one point during the meeting.

Rankin County School District (MDE rating: A): Feb. 12 meeting

Observed by: Emily Le Coz

Pros: The board was efficient, completely professional and attentive during its meeting. There appeared to be no grandstanding to the audience or community, and the board worked well with its superintendent.

Cons: At times there were some side conversations between board members and school officials. At times it also appeared the superintendent, and not the board president, was in control of the meeting.

Overall observation: Concise meeting with respectful board members.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

On the right road or off-track? How local school boards fared

A study conducted by University of Southern Mississippi professor David Lee has found a correlation between the behaviors of a local school board and student achievement in the district it oversees.